OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if oocytes were capable of taking up exogenous DNA such as human papillomaviral (HPV) DNA and evaluate the zona pellucida as a barrier to the entry of foreign DNA into the oocyte. METHODS: The experiment consisted of four groups of hamster oocytes exposed to HPV DNA fragments: Group A, zona-free oocytes (n = 5); Group B, oocytes with an intact zona pellucida (n = 5); Group C, oocytes fixed in 4% buffered formalin solution for 20 min (n = 5); and Group D, zona-free oocytes (n = 4). Group C oocytes served as an internal control to ensure adequate washing of the oocytes after incubation. RESULTS: The zona pellucida was not a barrier to foreign DNA molecules. The PCR did not detect L1-HPV and beta-globin gene sequences in the untreated hamster oocyte. Uptake of the smaller DNA fragments such as that amplified from the beta-globin region was independent of active oocyte cell processes. CONCLUSION: Oocytes cultured in vitro can passively take up exogenous DNA fragments. The results suggest a possible role of oocytes as vectors for foreign DNA.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if oocytes were capable of taking up exogenous DNA such as human papillomaviral (HPV) DNA and evaluate the zona pellucida as a barrier to the entry of foreign DNA into the oocyte. METHODS: The experiment consisted of four groups of hamster oocytes exposed to HPV DNA fragments: Group A, zona-free oocytes (n = 5); Group B, oocytes with an intact zona pellucida (n = 5); Group C, oocytes fixed in 4% buffered formalin solution for 20 min (n = 5); and Group D, zona-free oocytes (n = 4). Group C oocytes served as an internal control to ensure adequate washing of the oocytes after incubation. RESULTS: The zona pellucida was not a barrier to foreign DNA molecules. The PCR did not detect L1-HPV and beta-globin gene sequences in the untreated hamster oocyte. Uptake of the smaller DNA fragments such as that amplified from the beta-globin region was independent of active oocyte cell processes. CONCLUSION: Oocytes cultured in vitro can passively take up exogenous DNA fragments. The results suggest a possible role of oocytes as vectors for foreign DNA.
Authors: H M Bauer; Y Ting; C E Greer; J C Chambers; C J Tashiro; J Chimera; A Reingold; M M Manos Journal: JAMA Date: 1991 Jan 23-30 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Nigel Pereira; Katherine M Kucharczyk; Jaclyn L Estes; Rachel S Gerber; Jovana P Lekovich; Rony T Elias; Steven D Spandorfer Journal: J Pathog Date: 2015-11-01